The length of a pallet can vary significantly depending on its design, usage, and regional standards. While many people assume there’s a universal pallet size, the reality is that pallet dimensions are influenced by geography, industry requirements, and product types. Understanding how long a pallet is requires looking at various commonly used pallet types and their applications.

Standard Pallet Lengths by Region

In logistics and warehousing, pallet dimensions are typically expressed in terms of length × width. The length refers to the longer side of the pallet—the direction of the deck boards—while the width is the shorter side, usually corresponding to the direction forklifts enter the pallet.

North America

The most commonly used pallet in the United States and Canada is the GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) pallet. This pallet measures 48 inches in length and 40 inches in width, or 1219 mm × 1016 mm in metric units. Therefore, the standard pallet length in North America is 48 inches, or just over 1.2 meters.

This size is popular across retail, food distribution, consumer goods, and manufacturing sectors due to its compatibility with racking systems, forklifts, and transportation trailers in North America.

Europe

In Europe, the most widely used pallet is the Euro pallet, also known as the EUR-pallet or EPAL pallet. It is slightly shorter than the GMA pallet, with dimensions of 1200 mm × 800 mm, which translates to approximately 47.2 inches long. The Euro pallet is standardized by the European Pallet Association and is widely used across the continent for both domestic and international shipping.

Euro pallets are designed to work efficiently with European rail systems, warehouse racking, and truck containers, all of which are based on metric dimensions.

Asia

In Asian countries, especially China and Japan, pallet sizes can vary based on export requirements or internal logistics systems. A common size in Japan is 1100 mm × 1100 mm, forming a square pallet. In China, several different standards are used, but 1200 mm × 1000 mm pallets are widely accepted, particularly for exporting to international markets.

In both countries, you’ll find a mix of metric-based pallet sizes designed to match local shipping container dimensions and storage equipment.

Industry-Specific and Custom Pallet Lengths

In many industries, standard-sized pallets may not be suitable for certain products, especially those that are unusually long or bulky. This leads to the development and use of custom pallets, with lengths tailored to the goods being transported or stored.

For example:

Lumber, piping, or steel fabrication industries often require pallets that are 60 inches, 72 inches, or even up to 96 inches long (1524 mm to 2438 mm). These are designed to hold long materials securely and are built with reinforced components to handle heavy loads.

Retail display pallets may be much smaller, with lengths of 24 to 30 inches, designed to sit on retail shelves or be moved easily within a store.

Chemical or pharmaceutical pallets might follow global export standards, such as 1140 mm × 1140 mm or 1200 mm × 1000 mm, depending on their shipping region and packaging requirements.

Pallet Material and Design Impact on Length

While the pallet’s size is primarily determined by its intended use, the material and structural design can also play a role. Wooden pallets can be custom-built to almost any length, provided the correct support is built into the frame. Plastic pallets, which are molded, are typically limited to a few standard sizes unless manufactured in bulk custom orders. Metal pallets used in heavy-duty environments may also be longer, especially when designed for specialty applications.

Logistics Compatibility

Another consideration in determining pallet length is compatibility with transport systems. A standard shipping container (20ft or 40ft) has specific interior widths and lengths that influence how pallets are sized. A pallet that is too long may waste space or require special handling. As a result, even in international trade, many companies opt for standard-length pallets to optimize freight space and reduce shipping costs.

Conclusion

So, how long is a pallet? The answer depends on where you are and what you’re storing. The most common lengths are:

48 inches (1219 mm) in North America

1200 mm (47.2 inches) in Europe

Custom lengths from 600 mm to over 2400 mm, depending on industry and use case

Choosing the right pallet length is critical for efficient warehouse operation, safe handling, and cost-effective transportation. Whether using standard sizes or custom-built solutions, the length of a pallet should always match the needs of your products, storage systems, and logistics flow.